Stringed musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A circular drum is circumscribed by an hourglass-shaped sounding member which includes a spacer. One end of the spacer abuts the drum and extends radially outwardly therefrom to a second end which coincides with the periphery of the sounding or resonator member. The drum, sounding member, and a neck are held in assembled relation by a rod which includes two nuts, one at each end, which nuts cooperate with the drum and neck, respectively, with the rod extending through the spacer. A string means is removably secured at one end to the drum and is adjustably secured at the other end to the neck. The tone produced relates to a combination of a banjo and violin or a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;country music&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; type of tone.

United States Patent [191 Telesc'o STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT [76]Inventor: Donald W. Telesco, 39 W. ill Rd,

Stamford, Conn. 06902 [22] Filed: Apr-.1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 456,683

[451 Mar. 18, 1975 Primary ExaminerLawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Smythe & Moore 57] ABSTRACT A circular drum is circumscribed byan hourglassshaped sounding member which includes a spacer. One end ofthe spacer abuts the drum and extends radially outwardly therefrom to asecond end which coincides with the periphery of the sounding orresonator member. The drum, sounding member, and a neck are held inassembled relation by a rod which includes two nuts, one at each end,which nuts cooperate with the drum and neck, respectively, with the rodextending through the spacer. A string means is removably secured at oneend to the drum and is adjustably secured at the other end to the neck.The tone produced relates to a combination of a banjo and violin or acountry music type of tone.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT This inventionpertains to a stringed musical instrument and, more particularly, to acombined banjo and violin. 2

Various types of stringed instruments are known in the art, eachproducing particular kinds of music and tones. The violin uses stretchedstrings that produce tones when bowed which are relatively pure andwhich energize a sound box located between a front and back soundboard.The banjo uses a stretched skin membrane which carries the stretchedstring support or bridge. Each of these instruments have well-knowncharacteristic tones or sounds. The United States Patent to Newman U.S.Pat. No. 1,297,585 shows a banjo head with a violin-type neck, theinstrument of Newman being played with a bow. Newtypes of tones andinstruments have been found desirable for music such as country distincttone and music when played.

In one aspect, the present invention comprises a membrane drum, asounding member, and a neck. The

sounding member, which circumscribes the drum, includes a spacer whichextends radially outwardly from the drum with one end of the spacerabutting the drum. The other end of the spacer coincides with theperiphery of the sounding member and abuts one end of the neck. A rod isprovided for holding the drum, the spacer and the neck in assembledrelation. The rod extends through the spacer and at one end is removablysecured to the drum and at the other end is removably secured to theabutting end of the neck. Strings are provided which are removablysecured at one end to the drum and fixedly secured at the other end tothe far end of the neck.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description and drawings, which are merelyexemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side view partially in section of a stringed musicalinstrument made in accordance wit the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a full side view of a stringed musical instrument inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the instrument shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. '4 shows a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of HO. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a stringed musical instrument 10comprising a membrane drum 12, a sounding member 14, and a neck 16 areshown in assembled relation.

Drum 12, which is generally circular in configuration, is seen toinclude a wooden annular shell 18 (FIG. 4). Overlying shell 18 is a tonering 20, which is suitably located with respect to shell 18, as byrabbet joint 22. A drum or membrane skin 24 overlies tone ring 20 and isstretched tight by compression rings 26 and 28. First compression ring26 overlies the periphery of drum skin 24 and second compression ring 28underlies shell 18 and is suitably located with respect thereto, as byrabbet joint 30. A plurality of Allen screws 32 (only one of which isshown in FIG. 4 for clarity) urge compression rings 26 and 28 togetherto tightly stretch drum skin 24 over tone ring 20.

Sounding member 14 is hourglass-shaped and includes a first generallycircular portion 34 and a second generally circular portion 36 which isintegral with first portion 34. First portion 34 is open on one side 38for accepting drum l2 and first portion 34 is sized so that theperiphery of first portion 34 lies in close proximity to drum 12. Thesounding member 14 includes a base portion 14A and a removable cover14B. The cover 148 is removably held on base 14A by suitable screws 140(FIG. 3). Sounding member 14 also includes a spacer 40 which is enclosedby second portion 36. Sounding member 14 also has a block-41 on thespacer 40.

The first end 42 of spacer 40 abuts the outer periphery of drum l2 andthe second end 44 extends to the interior periphery of second portion36. Spacer 40 extends radially outwardly from drum 12 along or parallelto the diametrical axis 46 of second portion 36.

Neck 16 has a first end 48 which abuts second end 44 of spacer 40. Neck16 extends radially outward from spacer 40 where it terminates in asecond end 50. Neck 16 includes an extension 52 which extends radiallyinward from first end 48.

A rod 54 holds drum l2, spacer 40 and neck 16 in assembled relation. Rod54 includes a first nut 56 which is threaded onto first end 58 of rod54. First nut 56 cooperates with drum 12 at a circumferential locationdiametrically opposite the location of first end 42 of spacer 40. Rod 54then extends diametrically across the interior of drum l2 and throughspacer 40 and first end 48 of neck 16, where it terminates in a secondend 60. Rod 54 also includes a second nut 62 which is threaded intosecond end 60 of rod 54. Second nut 62 cooperates with first end'48 ofneck 16 to hold rod 54 in tension against first nut 56. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that rod 54 may be other than the solid, circularcross-section shaft shown without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

It should be apparent that the use of a threaded rod and nuts to securethe parts in assembled relation is intended only to be representative ofany arrangement wherein first end 58 and second end 60 of rod 54 areremovably secured to drum l2 and neck 16, respectively, and the use ofany such alternate arrangement will not depart from the spirit of theinvention.

A string means 64 includes a plurality of strings 65, a connectingmember 66 and a U-shaped bracket 68. The first end of string means 64 isremovably secured to drum 12 at a hook 70 which is located at a similarcircumferential location to that of nut 56. Each string 65 is secured atits first end to connecting member 66. The ends of U-shaped bracket 68are secured to connecting member 66 and bracket 68 is placed over hook70. The second ends of strings 65 are secured to second end 50 of neck16, as at conventional, tensionadjustable fittings 72.

rest of the instrumentparts, nut 62 is remooved and rod 54isunscrewedfrom nut56, which may be permanently attached to drum 12 forconvenience. Rod 54 is drawn from the position shown anddrum l2, spacer40 and neck 16 can'then be'separated. Strings 65 are detached from drum12 by unhooking bracket 68 from hook'70. To'reas semble, these steps arerepeated in reverse order.

Thetone and music produced 'is the result of the bridge 74 being on themembrane 24, the vibrations of which are heard and are transmitted. tothe sound box or member 14 which is in the form of a violin-typeconfiguration.

Although only one embodiment-of the present invention has been describedherein, those skilled in the art will perceive that other modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit of the invention except asdefined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is: Y

'1. A stringed musical instrument-capable of easy disassembly comprisinga generally circular drum, a

sounding member circumscribing said drum and including a spacer having afirst end abutting said drum at a first circumferential location and asecond end extending adjacent to the inner wall of said sounding memberwhen assembled therewith and said spacer extending radially outwardlyfrom said drum, a neck having a first end abutting said second end ofsaid spacer and a second end which extends radially outwardly from saidspacer, a rod for removably-securing said drum, said spacer and saidneck in assembled relation,

said rod extending through said spacer with a first end removablysecured to said drum at a second circumferential location diametricallyopposed to said first circumferential location and a second endremovably secured to said first end of said neck, and string meanshaving a first end removably secured to said drum at said secondcircumferential location and a second end .secured to said second end ofsaid neck.

2. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsounding member is violin shaped and further includesa first generallycircular portion open onone side for accepting said drum wherein theperiphery of said first portion is in close proximity to a portion ofthe periphery of said drum and second .generally circular portionintegral with said first portion and enclosing said spacer wherein adiameter of said second portion extends radially outwardly from saiddrum parallel to said spacer.

3; A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drumincludes a wooden annular shell,

a tone ring overlyingsaid annular shell, a'drum membraneoverlying saidtone ring, a first compression ring overlying said drum skin and engaging the periphery thereof, a second compression ring underlying saidannular shell, and a plurality of Allen screws for urging said first andsecond compression rings together to stretch said drum skin over saidtone ring.

4. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said neckincludes an extension for supporting said strings extending radiallyinwardly from said first end of said neck and underlying said strings.

5. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rodincludes a first nut threaded onto said first end of said rod and asecond nut threaded onto said second end of said rod wherein said firstand second nuts'cooperate with said drum and said first end of saidneck, respectively, to place said rod in tension- I and hold said drum,and said neck in assembled relation so that disassembly is accomplishedby unscrewing said nuts and then removing said rod.

6. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidstring means includes a connecting member, a pluralityof strings eachhaving a first end secured to said connecting member and a second endadjustably secured tosaid second end of saidneck and a bracket securedat its ends to said connectingmember and said drum includes ahook atsaid second circumferential location for engaging said bracket to removably secure said bracket to said drum.

7. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 6 wherein said drumfurther includes a drum skin underlying said strings and a bridgecooperating with said drumskin and said strings to transmit vibrationsfrom said strings to said drum skin. v

8. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsounding member includes a base and means between said drum at a firstcircumferential lo- I cation and extending toward the inner wall of saidsounding member, said spacer means extending radially outwardly fromsaid drum toward a neck which extends radially outwardly from saidspacer means and relative thereto, rod means for removably securing saiddrum, said spacer means and said neck in assembled relation, said rodmeans extending through said spacer with a first end removably securedto said drum at a second circumferential location diametrically opposedto said first circumferential location and a second end removablysecured tosaid neck, and string means having a first end removablysecured to said drum at said second circumferential location and asecond end secured to said second end of said neck.

1. A stringed musical instrument capable of easy disassembly comprisinga generally circular drum, a sounding member circumscribing said drumand including a spacer having a first end abutting said drum at a firstcircumferential location and a second end extending adjacent to theinner wall of said sounding member when assembled therewith and saidspacer extending radially outwardly from said drum, a neck having afirst end abutting said second end of said spacer and a second end whichextends radially outwardly from said spacer, a rod for removablysecuring said drum, said spacer and said neck in assembled relation,said rod extending through said spacer with a first end removablysecured to said drum at a second circumferential location diametricallyopposed to said first circumferential location and a second endremovably secured to said first end of said neck, and string meanshaving a first end removably secured to said drum at said secondcircumferential location and a second end secured to said second end ofsaid neck.
 2. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1wherein said sounding member is violin shaped and further includes afirst generally circular portion open on one side for accepting saiddrum wherein the periphery of said first portion is in close proximityto a portion of the periphery of said drum and second generally circularportion integral with said first portion and enclosing said spacerwherein a diameter of said second portion extends radially outwardlyfrom said drum parallel to said spacer.
 3. A stringed musical instrumentas claimed in claim 1 wherein said drum includes a wooden annular shell,a tone ring overlying said annular shell, a drum membrane overlying saidtone ring, a first compression ring overlying said drum skin andengaging the periphery thereof, a second compression ring underlyingsaid annular shell, and a plurality of Allen screws for urging saidfirst and second compression rings together to stretch said drum skinover said tone ring.
 4. A stringed musical instrument as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said neck includes an extension for supporting saidstrings extending radially inwardly from said first end of said neck andunderlying said strings.
 5. A stringed musical instrument as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said rod includes a first nut threaded onto said firstend of said rod and a second nut threaded onto said second end of saidrod wherein said first and second nuts cooperate with said drum and saidfirst end of said neck, respectively, to place said rod in tension andhold said drum, and said neck in assembled relation so that disassemblyis accomplished by unscrewing said nuts and then removing said rod.
 6. Astringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stringmeans includes a connecting member, a plurlaity of strings each having afirst end secured to said connecting member and a second end adjustablysecured tO said second end of said neck and a bracket secured at itsends to said connecting member and said drum includes a hook at saidsecond circumferential location for engaging said bracket to removablysecure said bracket to said drum.
 7. A stringed musical instrument asclaimed in claim 6 wherein said drum further includes a drum skinunderlying said strings and a bridge cooperating with said drum skin andsaid strings to transmit vibrations from said strings to said drum skin.8. A stringed musical instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsounding member includes a base and a removably mounted cover, so thatwhen said cover is removed, the assembly of said drum, spacer and neckcan be removed.
 9. A stringed musical instrument capable of easydisassembly comprising a generally circular drum, a sounding membercircumscribing said drum, spacer means between said drum at a firstcircumferential location and extending toward the inner wall of saidsounding member, said spacer means extending radially outwardly fromsaid drum toward a neck which extends radially outwardly from saidspacer means and relative thereto, rod means for removably securing saiddrum, said spacer means and said neck in assembled relation, said rodmeans extending through said spacer with a first end removably securedto said drum at a second circumferential location diametrically opposedto said first circumferential location and a second end removablysecured to said neck, and string means having a first end removablysecured to said drum at said second circumferential location and asecond end secured to said second end of said neck.